Nature of program

The 28-day Treatment Program is Action North's main in-residence program. Living at the centre for 28 days, clients have the opportunity to work through the first three steps of the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program. They create or rebuild an addictions-free lifestyle by participating in exercises, learning through films, and exploring life options in one-to-one counselling. With the goal of a happier and healthier, balanced lifestyle, they focus on the four major life areas: mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. Two nights of the week, clients travel out of the centre for A.A. or Al-Anon meetings or for jam sessions. Recreational activities are available at the centre and also in the community.

Presentations during the 28 day program include the following:

• Communication
• Disease concept of alcoholism
• Effects of alcohol and drugs on the body and on the family
• Adult children of alcoholics
• Relationships
• Family violence
• Anger, grief, and loss
• Types of abuse
• Residential school issues
• Problem gambling
• Relapse prevention
• After care
• Specific groups for men and women

As part of the 28-day treatment program, Action North's group sessions often break into gender-specific groups. We believe that, for certain issues, specific groups for men and women are more conducive to recovery. Although men and women with an addiction problem suffer similar symptoms related to their addition, the factors leading to their addition differ.

Some issues that are dealt with in these groups are the following: sexual abuse, family violence, institutional environments (e.g., residential schools, foster homes, prisons and reform schools), unresolved anger, loss and grief. These issues are coordinated into the program along with learning about alcohol and other drug dependency.